TEST: Pedaltrain Spark

 OK, let's start with a little riddle this time. What is it? Few singers, hardly any keyboardists, many bassists and almost every guitarist know the problem of what lies at his feet. No, it is not a particularly strenuous groupie, rather we are talking about the power supply of the personalized pedalboard, which in terms of complexity and problems already fills entire forums worldwide with tons of tips, tricks and sometimes adventurous detailed solutions.

Aware of this, the "Mother-Of-All-Modern-Pedalboards", the American manufacturer Pedaltrain has brought with the Pedaltrain Spark a power supply on en market, which comes up with some very interesting detail solutions. So then, look down and ran to the Tretminen.

the problem

I don't know about you, but I guess that when you have made your first steps on a six-string guitar at the tender age of 12 and up, and the first power chord sounds reasonably clean on the practice amp, you want to know in a second step what strange boxes your personal idols have lying on the floor in front of them.

If you have then finally recognized the difference between Footswitch (amp) and FX pedal, the personal play instinct, usually in the form of a distortion in motion, then maybe a chorus and a delay pedal and off goes the Lucy. And as the Lucy goes off, in no time you have 3 pedals and 4 cables lying in front of you, which push the pedals apart nicely and move to a wild mess. In addition, it has been found that the battery of the delay pedal is already empty after about 3 - 4 hours and one would like to fall back on power supplies in the context of environmental protection.

But since the pedals have different requirements in terms of amperes and possibly volts, now join the above-mentioned cables and pedals 3 more power supplies plus cables and a multi-plug strip, in short, at your feet it looks like hell, in the chaos you constantly run the risk of accidentally pulling out a cable and with each transport in Grandma's former travel case scratch the beautiful pedals and each poti runs the risk of entering the eternal hunting grounds.

Then comes the grand entrance of the first, self-built pedalboard, usually from Grandma's shelf (grandparents usually have a rich supply of musician-compatible craft content), garnished with rubber feet from the hardware store. The result holds the above-mentioned individual items in place, but usually shines through crude detail solutions, low road suitability, a hobby workshop look and due to the press lying against each other board bugs by a latent tendency to hum. Fact, it cannot go on like this.

the solution

Especially the power supply confronts musicians with the same floorboard problems again and again. Even if you can operate the vast majority of effect pedals with a 9V battery and you don't care about the environmental aspect, the lower output voltage of rechargeable batteries and the self-discharge, you can't get around the fact that many pedals have their battery door on the underside of the housing, and once they are permanently installed on the board, the exchange takes a not to be underestimated effort. There are many high-quality multi-voltage power supplies on the market, but they all struggle with the same problem in the form of their dimensions. Such devices often take up the space of 2 pedals on the work surface, which makes the majority of musicians long for a power supply solution below their pedal mines.

This is where the Pedaltrain Spark comes in, which with a height of only 3 cm (width 14.6 cm, depth 8.6 cm) fits under even the smallest pedalboard of domestic manufacture, the Pealboard Nano.

the flounder concept

If you take the Pedaltrain Spark in your hands for the first time, you will notice the comparatively high weight of 1.5 kg, which suggests that the processed toroidal transformer was provided with a decent efficiency. In addition, the product makes a very massive impression, which leads to a not to be underestimated reassurance of the artist due to its range of application.

The Pedaltrain Spark does not have an On/Off switch, only a green LED informs about applied voltage. On the front side is the IEC power plug and a very helpful voltage selector switch (120 / 240 V), which also allows the use abroad such as USA, Japan, South America, etc.. On the opposite side there are five isolated and filtered outputs with currents 2x 500 mA and 3x 100 mA. The maximum output current of the product is 1300 mA, all outputs supply 9V.

The output values correspond to a good practical value, whereby many Boss / Ibanez pedals are already satisfied with 100 mA and the products above in terms of current hunger, such as Line 6 or similar, mostly get by with 500 mA. Nevertheless, one must not conceal that one must accept some restrictions in favor of the excellent dimensions. Due to the extended headroom in terms of dynamics, some boutique pedal manufacturers in particular rely on 12 or even 18V operating voltage, which cannot be covered with the Pedaltrain Spark.

Also proprietary solutions such as AC operation in the style of the old Digitech pedals, which have also gladly sucked once 1.4 amps, are as expected not to be able to stand, but this should not hide the fact that about 80% of all pedals can cope with the above values.

the novelty

Well, nice and flat is the Pedaltrain, but now the Gretchen question, how do I attach the product to, respectively under the board? The actual novelty is so simple that it almost hurts, but in fact none of the previous pedalboard suppliers seemed to be interested in such a concept. To be able to place the Pedaltrain Spark on any board of the Pedaltrain series, you take a metal bracket plus 2 metal screws and screw the power supply from above onto the board, done, out! Exactly as simple as it sounds, it is also .... at first sight ...?

First look? A problem? No problem, but a design feature that could have used a little explanation in the manual. To test the Pedaltrain Spark in the wild, a new Pedaltrain Nano board was included. All is well, all is well, Pedaltrain Spark is screwed in place and .... the power supply slides back and forth underneath the board! Incomprehension spreads among the tester. Wrong dimensions? Monday production? Or incompetence of the tester?

A short phone call with the German sales department brought the solution. I was allowed to join the long line of colleagues who had made the same mistake. The dimensions of the bracket are designed so that on the pedal must already be the Velcro strips on which the retaining bracket is placed. These 2 millimeters make the difference between slippery sliding and bombproof hold. OK, you could have possibly come up with it yourself, but a simple reference in the manual would have been very helpful.

The accessories

In addition to 2 different, patent-pending metal brackets (Americans and their patent mania ;-)) and the necessary installation tools such as screws and Allen wrenches, a rich selection of a total of 10 power cables are included, whereby 2 cables are designed as a 5-way daisy chain variant, to connect several pedals of similar design to one output. With an optimal combination, it would thus be theoretically possible to supply up to 13 pedals with the Pedaltrain Spark with voltage.

ATTENTION, small tip from practice, happened to me during a show at the Wacken Open Air. If you use a daisy chain cable, where not all sockets are used, tape the free sockets, so that the positive pole can not come against ground. In my case, a free cable end came to a metal grid on the stage floor during the show and caused my effects to be turned on and off haphazardly over and over again. This is a joy when you know that millions of viewers were able to experience my cucumber sound due to the parallel running TV live stream.


Practice

Short and sweet, everything is fine! No hum, good workmanship, intelligent concept, quick assembly! Once the system understood, you can mount the Pedaltrain Spark by means of the 2 different metal brackets on each Pedaltrain board within 1 minute. Another highlight, the supplied power cord leads from the diameter exactly between the board feet to the outside direction socket.

Conclusion

With the Pedaltrain Spark, the foorboard pioneer delivers a power supply that shines with a perfect alignment to the factory's own products. Workmanship, concept and detailed solutions are convincing all along the line, but unfortunately cannot explain the reason for the comparatively very high retail price.


Additional Informations:

Comprehensive Report on Pedaltrain Floorboards

1. Introduction:
Pedaltrain Floorboards is a renowned company specializing in the design and manufacturing of premium quality pedalboards for musicians and guitar enthusiasts. Founded in 2002 by John Chandler in Nashville, Tennessee, the company has since gained a prominent position in the music industry, catering to the needs of professional musicians, hobbyists, and touring artists alike. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Pedaltrain Floorboards, covering its history, product range, design philosophy, manufacturing processes, customer satisfaction, and its impact on the music gear industry.

2. History and Founding:
Pedaltrain Floorboards began as a passion project for John Chandler, an avid guitar player and pedal enthusiast. Dissatisfied with the limited options available in the market at the time, Chandler decided to design his own pedalboard, one that would be lightweight, durable, and versatile. In 2002, he launched Pedaltrain Floorboards with its first product, the PT-1, which quickly gained popularity among musicians due to its innovative design and functionality.

3. Product Range:
Over the years, Pedaltrain has expanded its product range, offering a diverse selection of pedalboards to cater to varying needs and preferences. They offer various models, such as the Classic Series, Novo Series, and Terra Series, each featuring different sizes and configurations. The Classic Series is known for its time-tested, robust design, while the Novo Series incorporates improved features like open-front designs and enhanced cable management. The Terra Series is tailored for professional touring musicians, providing ample space for larger setups. Additionally, Pedaltrain also offers a wide range of accessories, including soft cases, hard cases, and power supply mounting brackets.

4. Design Philosophy:
Pedaltrain Floorboards' design philosophy revolves around three key principles: simplicity, durability, and functionality. Their pedalboards feature minimalist designs, free from unnecessary frills, focusing on providing a solid and reliable platform for guitar pedals. The use of lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum ensures portability without compromising on strength. Their open-frame designs facilitate easy cable routing and organization, reducing the risk of tangling and signal interference. By adhering to these principles, Pedaltrain has set a standard for pedalboard design across the industry.

5. Manufacturing Processes:
Pedaltrain Floorboards prides itself on its commitment to producing high-quality products. The manufacturing process starts with precision-cutting aluminum sheets using computer-controlled machinery to ensure consistency and accuracy. After shaping the pedalboard frames, they go through a rigorous quality control process to detect any imperfections. The pedalboards are then finished with a powder-coated surface, providing a durable and scratch-resistant finish. The attention to detail and high-quality materials contribute to the longevity of Pedaltrain products.

6. Customer Satisfaction:
One of Pedaltrain Floorboards' most significant achievements is its exceptional customer satisfaction. Musicians worldwide have praised the company for its reliable, well-designed, and user-friendly pedalboards. Reviews often highlight the durability and stability of the boards, even during extensive touring and live performances. Pedaltrain's commitment to customer feedback and constant improvements has fostered a loyal and supportive community of users.

7. Impact on the Music Gear Industry:
Pedaltrain Floorboards has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the music gear industry. Their innovative pedalboard designs have set new standards for functionality, ease of use, and portability. The success of their open-frame design has inspired numerous competitors to adopt similar approaches. Moreover, Pedaltrain's dedication to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices has also encouraged other companies in the industry to prioritize environmental responsibility.

8. Conclusion:
Pedaltrain Floorboards' journey from a passion project to an industry-leading brand showcases the power of innovation, dedication, and a commitment to quality. Through their minimalist and functional pedalboard designs, Pedaltrain has empowered countless musicians worldwide to organize and optimize their pedal setups effectively. As they continue to evolve and expand their product line, Pedaltrain remains a driving force in the music gear industry, consistently raising the bar for pedalboard design and contributing to the enrichment of the music-making experience.